Luxol and Athleta stun the favourites to book John Tabone Shield final showdown

Both semi-finals delivered dramatic finishes as Luxol Sherries Estates and Athleta AtoZ eliminated the competition favourites, setting up an unexpected final in the John Tabone Shield.

The John Tabone Shield will have a new champion after a dramatic semi-final Sunday at the Ta' Qali Pavilion, where Luxol Sherries Estates and Athleta AtoZ produced two major upsets to book their places in the final.

In two closely contested encounters, both games were decided by crucial plays in the closing seconds of regulation time. Luxol edged defending champions Starlites Naxxar 92-91 thanks to a late three-pointer from Josiah Fulcher (193-G-2001, college: MACU), while Athleta AtoZ forced overtime against Hibernians with a last-second basket before pulling away in the extra period for a 112-101 victory.

With both Hibernians and Starlites having been recent Shield champions and among the main contenders for this year's title, their elimination leaves the competition with two new finalists.

Starlites Naxxar - Luxol Sherries Estates 91-92

(18-21, 24-25, 23-27, 26-19)

Luxol Sherries Estates produced one of their biggest wins of the season, edging defending champions Starlites Naxxar in a thrilling encounter to secure their place in the final.

Josiah Fulcher proved decisive, scoring a game-high 32 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, including the game-winning three-pointer with just nine seconds remaining. Andres Burney also delivered an outstanding performance with 22 points and 16 rebounds, while Mark Iloube added 13 points and Nikolo Djakovic finished with 12.

For Starlites, Jacob Kosakowski led the way with 28 points, including five three-pointers, while Matthew Scerri contributed 16 points. Musa Jallow and Miguel Fabri added 12 points apiece.

Luxol made a strong start, taking control through Fulcher and Iloube, whose contributions helped establish an early 18-6 advantage. Starlites responded through Kosakowski, who sparked the comeback with consecutive baskets from beyond the arc, cutting the deficit to three points at the end of the opening quarter.

The Naxxar side continued their recovery in the second period, briefly taking the lead at 29-25 through Kosakowski and Fabri. However, Djakovic responded with a series of perimeter shots, while Iloube's late three-pointer restored Luxol's advantage at 46-42 heading into halftime.

Burney then took charge after the break, scoring 12 points in the third quarter as Luxol extended their lead to 73-65. Starlites remained within striking distance through Jallow, Scerri and Isaac Felice Pace, but Fulcher and Iloube maintained the Violets' advantage.

Luxol stretched the margin to 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but Starlites refused to surrender. Kosakowski, Scerri and Felice Pace led another impressive comeback, with the latter tying the game at 81-81 before Kosakowski put the defending champions ahead.

The closing minutes developed into a tense exchange, with the lead changing hands several times. Kosakowski appeared to have delivered the decisive blow with a late three-pointer for a 91-89 advantage, but Fulcher had the final word.

The Luxol guard connected from beyond the arc with nine seconds remaining, completing a dramatic turnaround and ending Starlites' hopes of defending their title.

Hibernians - Athleta AtoZ 101-112 OT

(21-26, 23-21, 23-23, 24-21, 10-21)

Athleta AtoZ continued their impressive Shield campaign by eliminating competition favourites Hibernians in overtime, producing a remarkable offensive performance to secure their place in the final.

Akili Evans was outstanding with 39 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Daniel Mayfield provided equally important support with 37 points and 12 rebounds, while Nathan Xuereb contributed 17 points.

For Hibernians, Nico Ashley recorded 24 points and 19 rebounds, while Miguel Brincat added 20 points. Ivan Demcesen registered a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Athleta started positively, with Sebastian Pace opening the scoring from three-point range. Hibernians responded through Brincat, who helped his side establish a 19-13 advantage, but Evans took control offensively and scored nine points in the opening period as Athleta finished with a 7-0 run to lead 26-21.

The visitors continued to dictate the pace during the second quarter, with Mayfield helping them establish a 42-30 advantage through his perimeter shooting. Hibernians responded through Ashley, Brincat and Cameron Cornelius, however, cutting the deficit to 47-44 at halftime.

The third period remained competitive, with Evans and Mayfield maintaining Athleta's offensive production. Xuereb also became increasingly influential, scoring nine points in the quarter as Athleta moved 64-53 ahead. Hibernians responded once again through Ashley and Brincat, reducing the gap to just three points heading into the final period.

Hibernians finally turned the game around in the fourth quarter, with Demcesen, Cornelius and Brincat leading a 75-70 advantage. Both teams continued exchanging baskets before Matthew Attard appeared to have secured the victory for the Paolites with a late three-pointer followed by two free throws, giving Hibernians a 91-88 lead.

However, Athleta had one final response. Evans drove to the basket and scored on the final play of regulation, tying the game at 91-91 and sending the contest into overtime.

The extra period belonged entirely to Athleta. Michael Naudi's side opened overtime with a decisive 14-0 run, leaving Hibernians struggling to respond. Evans continued his dominant display with eight points in the additional period, while Mayfield provided further scoring as Athleta pulled away to secure an impressive 112-101 victory.

The result completed a memorable upset for Athleta, who had entered the semi-final as underdogs but eliminated one of the strongest contenders through an outstanding offensive display.

A NEW CHAMPION GUARANTEED

The results set up a final between Luxol Sherries Estates and Athleta AtoZ, with both teams entering the championship game after eliminating the two sides widely considered among the favourites.

Luxol will rely on the scoring ability of Fulcher and the inside presence of Burney, while Athleta will look to Evans and Mayfield to continue their outstanding offensive form.

After two dramatic semi-finals decided by crucial plays at the end of regulation time, the John Tabone Shield is guaranteed to crown a new champion.